Self-locking gear

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains generally to a self-locking gear that includes an input shaft, a collar, a locking mechanism, and an output member. The collar is positioned eccentrically about the input shaft, and the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating. As a result, rotation of the input shaft causes the collar to gyrate about the input shaft, and the gyrating collar engages with the output member to turn the output member in the same direction as the input shaft. Torque applied to the output member with cause the output member to attempt to rotate the collar. However, the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating, thus locking the output member from rotation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional Application of U.S. patentapplication entitled “A Self-Locking Gear”, Ser. No. 12/206,413, filedon Sep. 8, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,431, all of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Anydisclaimer that may have occurred during prosecution of theabove-referenced application is hereby expressly rescinded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes and enables a self-locking gear. Theself-locking gear allows the transfer of rotation and torque from aninput shaft to an output shaft while preventing the transfer of rotationor torque from the output shaft to the input shaft.

Various devices are known in the art for locking a gear. For example,one of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with the use of a ratchetand pawl to allow an input shaft to transfer rotation and torque in onedirection to an output shaft while preventing the output shaft fromrotating in the opposite direction. The disadvantage of the ratchet andpawl is that the output shaft can still rotate independently of theinput shaft in at least one direction. In addition, the ratchet and pawlprevents the input shaft from transferring torque or rotation to theoutput shaft in both directions.

One of ordinary skill in the art is also familiar with the operation andcharacteristics of a worm gear. A worm gear typically includes a screwin threaded engagement with a gear. Rotation of the screw causes acorresponding rotation of the gear. However, the pitch angle between thescrew threads and the gear threads prevents the gear from turning thescrew.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,429 describes a self-locking reduction device thatincludes an input shaft (11) and a disc (11 d) that is eccentricallyconnected to the input shaft. A metal sleeve (15) surrounds the disc,and the sleeve connects to an internal gear (24) which in turn connectsto the output winding drum (17). A series of pins (16) inserted in bores(10) permit the sleeve to gyrate about the input shaft while preventingthe sleeve from rotating with respect to the input shaft. Duringoperation, rotation of the input shaft causes the disc to rotate aboutthe input shaft. The eccentric rotation of the disc causes the sleeve togyrate in the same direction as the disc. The gyrating sleeve causes theinternal gear, and thus the output winding drum, to rotate in the samedirection as the input shaft. If torque is applied to the output windingdrum, the output winding drum will transfer the torque to the internalgear which will attempt to rotate the sleeve. The pins will prevent thesleeve from rotating in either direction, thus locking the internal gearand the output winding drum.

Based on these and other prior art devices, the need exists for animproved self-locking gear that can transfer rotation and torque from aninput shaft to an output shaft while preventing the transfer of rotationor torque from the output shaft to the input shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects and advantages of the invention are set forth below in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a self-lockinggear that includes an input shaft, a collar, an output member, and alocking mechanism. The collar is positioned eccentrically about theinput shaft. The output member is engaged with the collar. The lockingmechanism is connected to the collar to prevent the collar fromrotating. The locking mechanism includes a first plate connected to thecollar to allow movement of the collar in a first direction. The lockingmechanism also includes a second plate connected to the first plate toallow movement of the collar in a second direction. The first directionis generally perpendicular to the second direction.

Variations of this embodiment may further include a bearing between thefirst plate and the second plate. In addition, the input shaft mayrotate with respect to the collar, and the collar may gyrate about theinput shaft. In still further variations, the output member may includea gear or a chain for engagement with the collar.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to aself-locking gear that includes an input shaft and a collar positionedeccentrically about the input shaft that gyrates about the input shaft.An output member is engaged with the collar, and a a lock connected tothe collar prevents the collar from rotating.

In yet another embodiment, a self-locking gear includes an input shaftand a collar positioned eccentrically about the input shaft that gyratesabout the input shaft. An output member is engaged with the collar, anda lock connected to the collar prevents the output member fromtransferring torque or rotation to the input shaft.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the featuresand aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of thespecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth moreparticularly in the remainder of the specification, including referenceto the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1connected to an output shaft;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of theinvention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical andletter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like orsimilar designations in the drawings and description have been used torefer to like or similar parts of the invention.

Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in thepresent invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof.For instance, features illustrated or described as part of oneembodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still furtherembodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers suchmodifications and variations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

The present invention relates to a self-locking gear. The self-lockinggear may be used as a winch, hoist, or other application where it isdesirable to transfer torque and rotation from an input shaft to anoutput shaft while preventing the transfer of torque or rotation fromthe output shaft to the input shaft.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a self-locking gear 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, theself-locking gear 10 includes an input shaft 12, a collar 14, a lockingmechanism 16, and an output member 18.

The input shaft 12 may be any structure for receiving torque orrotation. For example, the input shaft 12 may be a cylindrical rod,although any shape may be used for the input shaft 12 within the scopeof the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the input shaft 12may connect to a base 20, and a bearing 22 between the input shaft 12and the base 20 allows the input shaft 12 to rotate freely with respectto the base 20.

The collar 14 provides an intermediate connection between the inputshaft 12 and the output member 18. The collar 14 is positionedeccentrically around the input shaft 12 so that the geometric center ofthe collar 14 is not coincident with the geometric center of the inputshaft 12. An eccentric disc 24 may be used to position the collar 14eccentrically around the input shaft 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Ifused, the eccentric disc 24 fixedly attaches to the input shaft 12 sothat the eccentric disc 24 rotates in the same direction and speed asthe input shaft 12.

The collar 14 is generally circular in shape with a surface configuredfor engagement with the output member 18. For example, the collar 14may'include gear teeth 26 along the outer perimeter, as shown in FIG. 2.Alternately, the collar 14 may include pins, chain, or other structuresuitable for engagement with a complementary surface on the outputmember 18.

The locking mechanism 16 prevents the collar 14 from rotating in eitherdirection. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking mechanism 16 for thisparticular embodiment may include a series of sliding surfaces thatconnect the collar 14 to the base 20. For example, a first plate 28attached to the collar 14 may include a first tongue 30 that slides in afirst groove 32 on a second plate 34. The second plate 34 may in turninclude a second tongue 36 that slides in a second groove 38 on the base20. The first groove 32 may be oriented generally perpendicular to thesecond groove 38. For example, the first groove 32 may be oriented sothat the angle between the first groove 32 and the second groove 38 isbetween 60 degrees and 120 degrees. In addition, bearings 40 may beincluded between the tongue and groove connections to reduce thefriction between the sliding surfaces. In this manner, the lockingmechanism 16 allows the collar 14 to slide in any direction in a singleplane; however, the locking mechanism 16 prevents the collar 14 fromrotating in either direction.

The output member 18 is coaxially aligned with the input shaft 12 andconfigured for at least partial engagement with the collar 14 as thecollar 14 gyrates around the input shaft 12. For example, the outputmember 18 may include complementary gear teeth 42 that mate with thegear teeth 26 on the collar 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In thismanner, as the collar 14 gyrates, teeth 26 on the collar 14 engage withteeth 42 of the output member 18 to rotate the output member 18 in thesame direction as the gyrating collar 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, a sprocket 44 and chain 46 may connect the outputmember 18 to an output shaft 48.

The arrangement of the input shaft 12, collar 14, locking mechanism 16,and output member 18 allows the input shaft 12 to transfer torque androtation to the output member 18. Specifically, rotation of the inputshaft 12 causes the eccentric disc 24 to rotate at the same speed and inthe same direction as the input shaft 12. The locking mechanism 16prevents the collar 14 from rotating in either direction, so rotation ofthe eccentric disc 24 causes the collar 14 to gyrate around the inputshaft 12 at the same speed and in the same direction as the input shaft12. As the collar 14 gyrates around the input shaft 12, the teeth 26 onthe collar 14 temporarily engage with teeth 42 of the output member 18to rotate the output member 18 in the same direction as the input shaft12.

The arrangement of the input shaft 12, collar 14, locking mechanism 16,and output member 18 also locks the output member 18 to prevent theoutput member 18 from transferring torque or rotation to the input shaft12. Specifically, torque and rotation applied to the output member 18will cause the teeth 42 of the output member 18 engaged with teeth 26 onthe collar 14 to try to rotate the collar 14. However, as previouslydescribed, the locking mechanism 16 prevents the collar 14 from rotatingin either direction, thus locking the output member 18 from anyrotation.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a self-locking gear 50 according to analternate embodiment of the present invention. In this particularembodiment, the self-locking gear 50 again includes an input shaft 52, acollar 54, a locking mechanism 56, and an output member 58.

As with the previously described embodiment, the input shaft 52 may beany structure for receiving torque or rotation. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5,and 6, the input shaft 52 may connect to a base 60, and a bearing 62between the input shaft 52 and the base 60 allows the input shaft 52 torotate freely with respect to the base 60.

The collar 54 again provides an intermediate connection between theinput shaft 52 and the output member 58. The collar 54 is positionedeccentrically around the input shaft 52 so that the geometric center ofthe collar 54 is not coincident with the geometric center of the inputshaft 52. An eccentric disc 64 may be used to position the collar 54eccentrically around the input shaft 52, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Ifused, the eccentric disc 64 fixedly attaches to the input shaft 52, suchas with a key 66, so that the eccentric disc 64 rotates in the samedirection and speed as the input shaft 52.

The collar 54 is generally circular in shape with a surface configuredfor engagement with the output member 58. For example, the collar 54 mayinclude gear teeth 68 along the outer perimeter, as shown in FIGS. 4 and5. Alternately, the collar 54 may include pins, chain, or otherstructure suitable for engagement with a complementary surface on theoutput member 58.

The locking mechanism 56 prevents the collar 54 from rotating in eitherdirection. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the locking mechanism 56 forthis particular embodiment may include a series of pivotal connectionsbetween the collar 54 and the base 60. For example, the collar 54 maypivotally connect to a first bracket 70; the first bracket 70 maypivotally connect to a second bracket 72, and the second bracket 72 maypivotally connect to the base 60. The pivotal connection between thefirst and second brackets 70, 72 may be oriented generally perpendicularto the pivotal connection between the first bracket 70 and the collar54. For example, the pivotal connection between the first and secondbrackets 70, 72 may be oriented so that the angle between thisconnection and the pivotal connection between the first bracket 70 andthe collar 54 is between 60 degrees and 120 degrees. If desired, thelocking mechanism 56 may include additional pivotally connected brackets74 to increase the strength of the locking mechanism 56. In this manner,the locking mechanism 56 allows the collar 54 to slide in any directionin a single plane; however, the locking mechanism 56 prevents the collar54 from rotating in either direction.

The output member 58 is coaxially aligned with the input shaft 52 andconfigured for at least partial engagement with the collar 54 as thecollar 54 gyrates around the input shaft 52. For example, the outputmember 58 may include a chain 76 that mates with the gear teeth 68 onthe collar 54, as shown in FIG. 4. In this manner, as the collar 54gyrates, teeth 68 on the collar 54 engage with portions of the chain 76on the output member 58 to rotate the output member 58 in the samedirection as the gyrating collar 54.

The arrangement of the input shaft 52, collar 54, locking mechanism 56,and output member 58 again allows the input shaft 52 to transfer torqueand rotation to the output member 58. Specifically, rotation of theinput shaft 52 causes the eccentric disc 64 to rotate at the same speedand in the same direction as the input shaft 52. The locking mechanism56 prevents the collar 54 from rotating in either direction, so rotationof the eccentric disc 64 causes the collar 54 to gyrate around the inputshaft 52 at the same speed and in the same direction as the input shaft52. As the collar 54 gyrates around the input shaft 52, the teeth 68 onthe collar 54 temporarily engage with portions of the chain 76 of theoutput member 58 to rotate the output member 58 in the same direction asthe input shaft 52.

The arrangement of the input shaft 52, collar 54, locking mechanism 56,and output member 58 also locks the output member 58 to prevent theoutput member 58 from transferring torque or rotation to the input shaft52. Specifically, torque and rotation applied to the output member 58will cause the portions of the chain 76 of the output member 58 engagedwith teeth 68 on the collar 54 to try to rotate the collar 54. However,as previously described, the locking mechanism 56 prevents the collar 54from rotating in either direction, thus locking the output member 58from any rotation.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modificationsand variations can be made to the embodiments of the invention set forthherein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention asset forth in the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-locking gear comprising: a. an inputshaft; b. a collar positioned eccentrically about said input shaft; c.an output member engaged with said collar; and d. a locking mechanismconnected to said collar to prevent said collar from rotating, whereinsaid locking mechanism includes i. a first plate connected to saidcollar to allow movement of said collar in a first direction, ii. asecond plate connected to said first plate to allow movement of saidcollar in a second direction, and iii. said first direction is generallyperpendicular to said second direction.
 2. The self-locking gear ofclaim 1, further comprising a bearing between said first plate and saidsecond plate.
 3. The self-locking gear of claim 1, wherein said inputshaft rotates with respect to said collar.
 4. The self-locking gear ofclaim 1, wherein said collar gyrates about said input shaft.
 5. Theself-locking gear of claim 1, wherein said output member includes a gearfor engagement with said collar.
 6. The self-locking gear of claim 1,wherein said output member includes a chain for engagement with saidcollar.
 7. A self-locking gear comprising: a. an input shaft; b. acollar positioned eccentrically about said input shaft, wherein saidcollar gyrates about said input shaft; c. an output member engaged withsaid collar; and d. a lock connected to said collar to prevent saidcollar from rotating.
 8. The self-locking gear as in claim 7, whereinsaid lock includes a first plate connected to said collar to allowmovement of said collar in a first direction, a second plate connectedto said first plate to allow movement of said collar in a seconddirection, and said first direction is generally perpendicular to saidsecond direction.
 9. The self-locking gear of claim 8, further includinga bearing between said first plate and said second plate.
 10. Theself-locking gear of claim 7, wherein said input shaft rotates withrespect to said collar.
 11. The self-locking gear of claim 7, whereinsaid output member includes a gear for engagement with said collar. 12.The self-locking gear of claim 7, wherein said output member includes achain for engagement with said collar.
 13. A self-locking gearcomprising: a. an input shaft; b. a collar positioned eccentricallyabout said input shaft, wherein said collar gyrates about said inputshaft; c. an output member engaged with said collar; and d. a lockconnected to said collar to prevent said output member from transferringtorque or rotation to said input shaft.
 14. The self-locking gear as inclaim 13, wherein said lock includes a first plate connected to saidcollar to allow movement of said collar in a first direction, a secondplate connected to said first plate to allow movement of said collar ina second direction, and said first direction is generally perpendicularto said second direction.
 15. The self-locking gear of claim 14, furtherincluding a bearing between said first plate and said second plate. 16.The self-locking gear of claim 13, wherein said input shaft rotates withrespect to said collar.
 17. The self-locking gear of claim 13, whereinsaid output member includes a gear for engagement with said collar. 18.The self-locking gear of claim 13, wherein said output member includes achain for engagement with said collar.
 19. The self-locking gear ofclaim 13, wherein said lock prevents said collar from rotating.
 20. Theself-locking gear of claim 13, further comprising an eccentric discbetween said collar and said input shaft.